Rotatable connecter for vehicle direction indication



May 7,1929. 1J. CURLEY 9 1,712,295

ROTATABLE CONNECTER AFOR VEHICLE DIRECTION INDICATION Filed Aug. I, 1925Patented May v7 1929.

uNrrED STATES ICE.

JOHN J. CURLEY, OF .'BROCKTQN, MASSACHUSETTS.

ROTATABLE CUNNECTER FOR VEHICLE DIIRZEGTION INDICATION.

Application filed August 1, 19%5. Serial No. 47,526.

This invention relates to a circuit control means having specialapplication in systems of direction indication for motor vehicles @ne ofthe objects ofmy invention. is to provide an operating switch under thecontrol of the driver for use in a system of indicating by signal thedirection lor intended direction of a moving motor vehiclefwhereby onein the rear or in advance ofthe vehicle is informed of the contemplateddirection of travel of the vehicle.

il further object is to provide a switch for use with a system ofdirection indication 'for motor vehicles which is operable at the willof the driver of the vehicle to give an indication of change of, orcontinuance in direction, in traffic or otlierwise,prior to such changeof direction.

il further object is to provide a switch for usc witha system ofdirection indication for motor vehicles which is operable. from thenatural driving position Occupied by the driver without the necessity ofhis releasing the wheel or chance of losing control thereof.

l further object is to provide a device of the above described characterwhich is emcient in operation, simple and .durable in construction, andwhich is adapted to fulfill among others the objects as 'above setforth.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, thecombination of parts, and in thermique relation of the various membersand the relative proportioning and di'spositioning thereof, all as moreclearly outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlyingfeatures thereof, Y

in order that they may embody the same, by numerous modifications instructure and rela'-l tion contemplated by .this invention, drawingsdepicting a preferred form of the invention have been annexed as part ofthis disclosure, and in such drawings like characters ofl referenceindicate corresponding Aparts throughout all the views, of Whichligure 1is anelevation of the'ste'ering postof a vehicle and proposedarrangement of the contacting device therewith, certain parts beingshown in section.

llig-ure 2 is a top View of a steering wheel showing the position of abutton switch and contacting device.

Figure 3 is a section of the button switch.

Figure 4 is a section along lines of Figure 1. l

Referring now to the drawing there 1s provided a button switch 34fastened to the radial spoke y35 ofthe steering Wheel 3G of the vehicle.As shown in Figure 3, the

switch comprises a .body member 37 having mounted in recesses thereinspring-pressed plungers or buttons 38, 40 and 41. These plungers, whenpressed downwardly, make contact with a platev 42 of conductingmaterial, which in turnis connected with the metal spoke of the steeringwheel 36,forming therewith a return connection. The plate 42 is suitablyconnected as by wires to contact rings 43, 44l and 45 (see Figure 1)`and in circuit with, for example, a suitable indicator (not shown) ,forindicating a contemplated. left hand turn upon completion of thecircuit` by pressing the button or plunger 38; with another indicator(not shown) for indicating a contemplated right hand turn by button 41;and with a` third indicator (not shown) for indicating straight aheadtravel, all of which is, Well'known.

'lhe contacts 43,44 and 45 are inthe form extend thru a fixed ibertube51 attached to the steering column 47, as for example, by bearing'clamps52 and are connected with lead wires to the various indicators.

It is thus apparent that there is provided 'in the above describedinvention a simple he intends to make a left or a right turn, orV

to continue in the direction in which he is travelling.

In view ofthe above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are lachieved and other? advantageous results at- 'tainedl' Asmany changescould be made in carrying out the aboveconstruction, withoutdeparting from the scope ofthe invention, itis intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

, I claim;

1. In an apparatus of the class described,

'the combination of the steering Wheel and v column; an. annular channelmember of insu- -whee latin material rotatable with said steering lannular conducting rings contained Within said member and mounted on theinner surface of the leg and cross portion of said annular `member,relatively fixed spring contacts engaging each of said rings in allpositions of the steering Wheel and forming electrical connectionstherebetween, and conducting rods onwhich said contacts along saidsteering column, each of said rings, 'contacts and rods forming aconnecter unit in individual electrical circuits.

Signed at Brockton, Massachusetts, June, 1925.

.A-EN .JURLEY.

